ROD (BAGUETTE SHAPE)

Generally, a rod refers to a long, narrow bar. In watchmaking, the term is most often used in reference to the rod of the Pallets (lever): the elongated part that connects the Fork to the body and arms of the lever holding the pallets. Its Length and rigidity contribute to the transmission of the Impulse and to the proper functioning of the Escapement. In jewelry, the term rod (baguette shape) also refers to an elongated rectangular gemstone cut, with step-cut facets, widely used to highlight a design or border a Dial and a Bezel set. The term can finally qualify certain movements or watches called “Rod (baguette shape)”, of long and narrow shape, popular for feminine models of the first half of the 20th century. Depending on the context — component of the escapement, size of Gem or watch format —, the Rod (baguette shape) always refers to this same idea of a thin and elongated shape, a common characteristic to its various horological and jewelry meanings.